Christopher Browne ~ career

Christopher Browne has been 'our correspondent' on The Times, Financial Times and The Independent, but his proudest moments were as a £4-a-week cub reporter on the Surrey Mirror. "I learnt to talk, write, interview, eat and drink all at the same time," he says.

Christopher bought his first investment property in the 1989-1991 recession. He now has a growing portfolio of one- and two-bedroom apartments in West London, Nottingham and pre-Olympic London SE1.

Owning property beats any 'Celebrity Big Brother' or soap series for raw realism and human interest, says Christopher. Read his insider tips on buying-to-let and owning a shop, wine bar or suite of offices in the national newspapers.